The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-07-14
RUSSIAN CKNsoRsHip,
RESTRICTIONS I'd Literary Aspirations In
Russia-Ife Oniciai Censor.

In Russia not only the newspapers
and other periodicals, but all books.
upon whatever subject and wherever
printed, must pass under the eye of an
official censor. For the latter purpose
a special censure bureau exists. Books
published in foreign languages-of
which in Nicholas reign more than
$50, 900 were imported annually, most
ly in French and German-receive the
most critical examination. If nothing
is found Objectionable to the censor
the book is allowed to be sold and to
circulate in the public libraries.
OF late years the importation OF
foreign books has greatly diminished.
The disposition to foster home talent
and the renown of such authors as
Tourgeuneff, Pushkin, Gozol, Lerman-
/ tof, and Others, have contributed
greatly to this result.
As for the precise rules by which the
censors are guided in determining
what is dangerous and what is not,
that is matter difficult to ascertain.
Strauss, Darwin, Haeckel, Spencer.
and Heine were either prohibited en-
| tire, or admitted in ridiculously ex-
purgated editions, while Karl Marks
| 'OdpiGdA was RAShOuhSSA A"A AAAANSS
and admitted.
Books presented to member of the
| royal family, ministers, and foreign
ambassadors are not subject to the
condemnation of the censor, but must,
| nevertheless, pass through his bureau.
OF the foreign journals circulating in
Russia, some three hundred are ad-
mitted, two hundred of which are nom
political. The journals subject to
censure are carefully looked over, and
in case an objectionable article, para
graph, or sentence is discovered,
"caviar censuri" Printer's ink is
stamped upon it, completely obliter-
ating every word from the reader Pc
riodicals of an anti-Russian tendency
are prohibited altogether. The books
tabooed are much read however.
Like the Maine restaurateur, most
booksellers in Russia have a hidden
assortment of forbidden wares, which.
to well-known and trusted persons,
they will sell. These books have been
sold to the bookseller by the notable
persons above mentioneds or Purchas-
ed from the censors after contiscatiOn,
which would seem to be a good thing
for the ceasors. 1t often happens a.
with Zola's Mana" that although re.
fused admittance in the form of d
book, it reaches the Russian novel
reader as translation in the shape Of
4 newspaper feuilleten.
The number of languages spoken il
Russia are too numerous to attempt tt
mention. OF course. the government
has its fayorite tongues. The Grea1
Russian is the official language, and i:
the language the czar would be glad t.
hear spoken throughout his vast do
main. Consequently there is an eter
nal warfare, .waged against the Ger
| man, Polish, and Little Russian Ruth
inian) languages. The schools are th'
I instruments employed especially fo
this object, and, indirectly, the cen
sorship officials.
Even the hard Finnish and Lettisl
languages are more favored than thes
. harmonious and softer tongues o
; Southwestern Russia, the object be
. ing, it is claimed by the Germans in
habiting Russia, to keep back tn
, Swedish and German languages, thes
being higher and more dangerous t
the peace of the country. But the il
success of the government in attempt
ing to in a measure suppress the stud
of the Polish language shows will
what tenacity these patriots cling t
their mother tongue. No Polish pull
, lication is permitted to circulate out
side of the Western province. tn
PGies of St. Petersburg, numberin
, more than 10000, not being allowed t
read Polish newspaper. In Polan
, tie censor is much more tyrannic;
: than in Russia proper, which doub
: less accounts for the remarkable il
e crease IN the publication of newsps
l pers and books in the Polish language
: In Warsaw alone there are ninet,
seven journals in flourishing cond
: tian (not all in Poiish1, but mostl
a non-political The political journal
t and periodicals are published in Pose
f and Galicia, and are rarely admitte'
: into Poland.
+ Notwithstanding these restrictions
a the Poles are far more advanced tina
> the Little Russians. This branch c
the Slavs, numbering Is, 200, 900 souls
: are most outrageously treated. Wit
e a fixed determination to exterminat
i their language. the government onl
n permits the almanacs and prayer
: books to be printed in Little Russian
e If an author wishes to see his book i
e his own language, he must travel
;, Austria to haveit printed there.
r